Nacco Material Handling Group says the future of its forklift manufacturing plant in Irvine, Ayrshire, is assured, despite a global restructuring plan that last week saw the announcement that the company's Lenoir, North Carolina, plant would close.

Nacco's European vice-president and managing director Richard Close told The Herald newspaper the company would cut some jobs, but Nacco's European headquarters would remain at Irvine.

"The restructuring program is scheduled to take place over the next two to three years. Taking this action will enable us to provide a clear role for Irvine," he said.

Mr Close said the future of the Irvine plant depended on restructuring its activities, which would involve changing its output "from a complex mix of forklifts to a focused product mix of electric rider forklifts".